Preparedness

The acquisition and operation of multipurpose high-tech communications systems is one of the more important goals of U.S. decision makers at all levels of government. The cost of these systems, though, is beyond the reach of many smaller cities.

U.S. hospitals have less than 18 months to upgrade their emergency preparedness & response capabilities to the levels mandated by the National Incident Management System. The task is a daunting one, & resources are limited, that challenge must be met.

A high-level national-security unit created in the aftermath of 9-11 is a major component of the National Criminal Intelligence Sharing program linking federal, state, and local law-enforcement agencies in a coordinated effort to deter future attacks.

Most U.S. border-security funding is allocated to protection of the nation's southern border with Mexico, but protection of the U.S. maritime border with Canada is equally important, if not more so, and in many respects a much more daunting challenge.

States seeking federal preparedness assistance funds must first submit highly specific preparedness reports - which is easier said than done. A "gap analysis" is needed, several important questions must be answered, and periodic tests must be scheduled.

Many Americans think the threat of a pandemic flu is over, so have let down their guard. But it isn't, and they should not have. It could strike suddenly, move fast, over a wide area, and wreak death and destruction throughout the entire world.

In the field of training, the Counter Narcotics and Terrorism Medical Support program, transferred in 2004 from DOD to DHS, has no peer in preparing its graduates to operate in dangerous and unstable environments.

Protection of the U.S. maritime domain against terrorist threats "from the sea" requires not only cooperation but also a closely coordinated plan of action conscientiously carried out by numerous state, federal, and local agencies working together.

Innovative DOT-sponsored program enlists the general public in a camera-phone pilot project that could help significantly not only in coping with major disasters but also in dealing with highway closures and other everyday incidents and inconveniences.